Case Story - One income leads to another

Ganapathis developed vegetable field - a beneficiary of Micro credits

Although we are at the beginning of our internship, the last two weeks have been filled with field visits and several excursions. It has given us an insight into Kudumbam`s multifaceted work at the local level but also at the individual level. In last week`s field visit, we got to see the organization`s important work on Micro-credit activities. Ever since 2017, Kudumbam has had a close collaboration with the bank NABARD - India`s State Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Inside the office in Tharangambadi, one of three offices in the state of Tamil Nadu, we get to meet Stella who is the Office Secretary and Helen who is the Micro-credit telecaller. These offices work with Micro-credit activities, which can most easily be translated into the business of small loans. Kudumbam has acted as an intermediary to the local population who did not have the conditions or the knowledge of how they can take part of these micro loans. Helen explains that the target groups that Kudumbam supports are mainly vulnerable women but also farmers who live in remote areas. Stella interjects, "for the woman who has either become single or wants to make a living on her own, these loans mean an awful lot".

Today, there are approximately 3,200 people who takes part in Kudumbam`s micro-credit activities. In order to reach all these people, dissemination of information has been a key factor about the knowledge behind the possibilities of a start-up capital and the acquisition of livestock. In the long run, the livestock in the form of cows and goats should lead to a sustainable income.

Kudumbam`s presence in villages makes a difference both in the short and long term, which we will also get to know through future field visits. Various meetings are then planned with the women who have taken part in the program Self Help Groups, women who have succeeded in strengthening their means of livelihood and position in society.